Peter Hitchener is brimming with emotion as he signs off for the very last time after five decades at Channel Nine News Melbourne: ‘Pass the tissues’

Legendary Melbourne newsreader Peter Hitchener, 77, got a tear from Livinia Nixon at the end of her Nine Network weather report on Thursday evening.

The legendary reporter received a grand send-off from Nixon as the weekday portion of Hitchener’s 50-year career came to an end.

‘This is our last bulletin together as a team since I joined you twenty years ago. You are a remarkable person. You are a father figure to everyone in the newsroom,” Nixon said.

“A friend to millions at home and a comfort to us all through these grim news stories. We adore you, we salute you and thank you very much for everything.”

“Oh, thank you, Livinia. So well said… Pass those (wipes) to Livinia,” Hitchener told sports presenter Tony Jones.

“I know news can be very bleak sometimes, but luckily there’s always room for fun in this studio… and you’ve gotten us into trouble some nights,” Jones told Hitchener.

“We had some fun,” the retired host agreed with a chuckle.

“That’s because of your wicked and wonderful sense of humor, which of course we don’t see on the air very often,” Jones said.

“I wish you were joking right now, because the mood here is very somber tonight. To me you are not just a colleague, you are not just a partner, you are actually part of our family.

“And you are a big part of this city and will continue to be.”

Jones then introduced a video tribute to Hitchener, which he said was “just a small example of why you are so loved.”

The clips chronicled decades of political and social change in Victoria, Australia and around the world, both from behind the news desk and on the road.

“Wow, there are some memories there,” Hitchener said, overcome with emotion.

“May I say it has been an honor and a pleasure to host 9News weeknights for the past 25 years, thanks for watching.”

He concluded by saying: ‘Melbourne, that’s the news this Thursday. Enjoy your evening and good night.’

Nixon and Jones applauded him, after which Jones shook his hand and Nixon leaned in to give him a kiss.

Hitchener had previously dismissed rumors that he was planning to retire after being dumped from the weekday news bulletins and moved to the weekends.

The broadcaster said he was keen to take on a reduced workload to ensure a healthier work-life balance, whilst still being able to do what he loved.

‘I started thinking about it when it was said that I was going to retire. I thought, ‘What am I going to do? “I’m going to see if I can switch to a less busy schedule,” he said. Television tonight.

‘I started thinking about it when it was said that I was going to retire. I thought, “What am I going to do? I’m going to see if I can switch to a less busy schedule,” he said.

‘And behold, this is the result, weekend work. It wasn’t really until I made the decision that I thought I was happy with this. I did the right thing.’

He added that he loved his job too much to ever seriously consider leaving the industry for good.

‘I never want to retire, I love working. If I don’t read the news, I’ll do something else. I don’t think retirement is particularly good for anyone. Well, not for me.’

It comes after reports that Hitchener is changing roles at Channel Nine after more than 25 years.

The Queensland native, who has presented Nine’s weekday news bulletins since 1998, has been moved to weekends due to health concerns.

The network announced the news earlier this month, confirming both Alicia Loxley, 42, and Tom Steinfort, 39, as his replacements.

The pair have a long history with the network, with Loxley presenting for 9News Melbourne for the past twelve years, while Steinfort is a long-time correspondent for 60 Minutes.

Hitchener, who recently celebrated his 50th anniversary with the network, insisted that stories of his retirement have been greatly exaggerated.

“To be clear, the first I heard about my so-called retirement was reading about it this afternoon in @theheraldsun,” Peter wrote on Instagram in July.

“It is my great honor and privilege to present the news, and I hope to continue doing so for a few more years.”

In 2021, the veteran newsreader took a step back from presenting the news full-time.